Electrical switch



J. P. SMITH, JR

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 3; 71948 IN VEN TOR.

FIG. 2

35 JOHN P. SMITH JR.

SPEAKER PROGRAM IMPLIFIER CUEING- AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER ATTEN UAI'OR ATTENUA OR Ill II.

April 25, 1950 FIG. 5

PICK-UP LEVER OPERATED cusmeswn-cu ATTENUATOR SHAFT 24 PICK-UP LEVER OPERATED CUEING swn-aH ATTENUATOR SHAFT etented Apr. 25, 1950 ELECTRICAL SWITCH ."iohn P. Smith, Jr., Verona, N. J., assignor to The Daven Company, Newark, N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 3, 1948, Serial No. 47,600

16 Claims. 1 This invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to a switch adaptable for use as an auxiliary switch in the communications field, as a monitoring or cueing switch, an auxiliary signal switch, a switch to cut out an attenuator or for other similar applications.

Co-pending application, Serial No. 18,002, filed March 30, 1948, illustrates and describes an auxiliary switch of similar structure wherein the switch carried by an attenuator is operated by operation of the knob of the attenuator through the medium of the detent gear and consequently is operated only at predetermined settings of the attenuator, whereas the present invention embc-dies an auxiliary electric switch which is carried by an attenuator or like instrument and is operable independently of the attenuator or transducer whereby in a communications circuit the program passing through the system can be monitored at any set position of the transducer or the cueing amplifier of such a system may be turned on or oiT independent of the setting of the transducer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact unit such as an attenuator and auxiliary switch combined which will permit operations as above referred to, will require only a single panel mounting, and will eliminate separate panel mounted switches with their requirements of panel space mounting, labor costs, panel engraving, etc., and which device of the present invention will provide an attractive appearing, conveniently operable unit at a material reduction in cost over the present approved methods and apparatus.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists of various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the 9.0- a

2 cuit which will. permit cueing or cutting in of the program being broadcast to the auxiliary or cueing amplifier in any position of setting of the transducer.

Figure 5 a diagrammatic view showing the attenuator and auxiliary switch in a communications circuit and is arranged as to cut ofi the regular broadcast signal or program from the program amplifier and switch it to the cueing or auxiliary amplifier.

in the present specification it is to be understood that the term cueing amplifier is used in connection with an amplifier and speaker which is located in the control room of a broadcasting system so as to enable the operator to out in and hear the program at any desired time for the purpose of giving him a cue for alteration in the program such as when disc recordings are being employed, giving him a cue as to when to start a subsequent disc without causing a break in the program or, for giving him a cue as for various other breaks or insertions into the proram being broadcast.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, an attenuator or other similar transducer as used in electrical communication systems, is shown in general in Figure 1 of the drawings, with the wiring thereof removed and this instrument includes a rotary shaft l which has an operating knob 2 on one end thereof and which operates the switch mechanism 3 of any approved construction such as emplcyed in instruments of this type. The attenuator also includes an enclosing housing i which has a portion thereof cut away as shown at 5. The auxiliary switch structure 5 is attached to the housing 4 at the cutaway portion 5 and the switch structure it includes a body '1 having slots 3 in its sides which receives and slides over the edges of the cutout portion 5 in the attenuator housing t so as to position the contact arms of the switch structure within the attenuator housing with heir terminal ends 9 exteriorly of the housing to facilitate the connection of wires thereto. The switch structure 5 embodies an inner stationary contact arm [0 and outer stationary contact arm H and an intermediate movable contact arm i2. The contact arm I2 is tensioned so that under normal conditions it will engage the inner contact arm H! and consequently make a circuit or close the circuit which is connected to the inner stationary arm Ill. A cam i3 is pivotally carried by the closure plate I4 of the housing i and is positioned so that the outer edge of its free end will engage the movable contact :2. The cam It has stepped surfaces and 16 on its inner edge which are engaged by an operating arm I! to rock the cam to move the movable contact arm l2. When the end of the operating arm it engages the step of the cam I3 the movable contact arm l2 will be moved to a neutral position out of engagement with either the inner or outer stationarycontact arms H] or I l, andwhen the arm IT is moved-into engagement with the step It then the cam will move the contact arm I2 into engagement with the outer stationary contact arm H.

The operating arm I! is carried by a carrying body l8 which is mountedppon; the shaft 1 of the attenuator for rotary movern ehtflndepend ently of the shaft. A second arm [9 is carried by the body it and projectstherefromsubstantially diametrically opposed to the cam operating arm H. The arm it has its free end Zligupturned and its outer surface rounded slightly, as shown .at iii. The upturned end of the arm I9. engagesin a notch or cuteout 2! formed in the arm 22. .The arm 22 is carried by, a carrying body 23 rotatably mounted upon the shaftl. and has an operating. lever ccnnectedthereto. The oneratinglever 24 projects radially from the shaft l. andhas its outer. free end upturned asshown atZSJtopermit easy operation of the lever and consequently of the .cam operating arm ii. A spring brake or detent 25 is carried by the olesureplatei i. and has one end anchored as shown at 21,.whi1e the other, end engages the interior ofthe housing ,4. The spring 28 has indentations 28..therein.which engage the arcuate upturned end. ,Zdof the arm, is vfor indicating the proper positions of the cam operating arm ii and holding the cam operating arm i1, body is and arm l9. in adjusted positions. The attenuator or transducer has the usual detent gear 29 thereon with whichv a spring pressed pawl member 38 cooperates.

A stop-pin (i! is carried by the closure plate i4 and engages the arm it for limiting the movement oithis arm and, consequently, movement of the cam operating arm i'i.

Ewe oia nm'nber of several applications of the transducer embodying the auxiliary switch structure of the present inventionis shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Fig,ure shows the. attenuator structure con nectedin acommunications circuit with thecontact arms ll, andi2 ofthe auxiliary switch structure connected to cir uit with the rogram amplirle' and the bridging input cueing amplifier, and. .ois hook-up operation of the auxiliary switch structure. vthe present invention by means of (the lever l willpermit cutting in of the program being oadcast to the auxiliary or cueing amplifier indicated at Hand thence to the. speaker, 32. while .the attenuator or transducer is in any adjusted position.

--Figure 5 shows the .lliary switch structure connected in a communications circuit in such manner to out ofi' the transmission of the program being .broadcastto the program amplifier whenthe switch structure is operated to divert. the program to the. cueing amplifierB-t and V V is These two circuits show .only two appli at us of the improved auxiliary switch structure and it is to be understood that its use istnottolbe limited-to. suchinstallations but it may also be used as an auxiliary switch,a switch tO'ifi'elt out-an. attenuator or, any other similar application withoutdeparting from the spiritof thepresentinvention.

The switch structure herein shown and described may be employed as a single or multiple pole, multiple position switch as desired.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

1 What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical instrument, the combination with a rotary shaft, of a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit and comprising inner and outer stationary contact arms and a movable contact arm, a camior moving said movable contact arm,

;l.5 -a leyermounted on said shaft for swinging movement upon the shaft, as an axis and independently of the shaft and means operated by said lever for moving said cam.

2.;I he combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable contact arm is tensioned to engagepne of .said stationary contact arms, and saidscam isfprovided with surfaces whereby upon initial movement of the cam said movable contactarmwill. be moved to neutral position uponsubsequent step movement of the cam it willgbe moved into contact with the other of said stationary contact arms.

3.,T,he combination asclaimed in claim 1 embodying a spring detent for holding said cam 0pcrating meansfin adjusted position.

-4.,1The. combination as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid cam operating means includes a body-., mounted on said shaft, a cam operating on saidbody, a second arm on said body and a yieldabledetent. engaging said second arm for holdingthe cam operating means in adjusted positions.

-5.,The. combination as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid movable contact arm is tensioned to engageone of said stationary contact arms, and said cam is provided with surfaces whereby upon initial movement ofthe cam said movable contact arm will be moved to neutralposition and upon .subsequentstep movement of the earn it will .be. moved into contact with the other of said stationary contact said cam operating means including a body mounted on said shaft, acam operating arm onsaid body, a second arm on said body, and a yieldable detent engaging said ,second arm for holding the cam operating means in adjusted positions.

The combination as claimed in claim 1 including means carried by said shaft and connectedto said leverand engaging said cam operating means for moving the cam operating means .upon movement of, the lower.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cam operating meansincludesa bodymounted on said shafta cam operating arm on saidsbody, a second arm on said body and means. carried by said body and means carried by.,. 'said.,shaft and connectedto said lever and engaging. said second arm for moving the cam operating aria-upon movement of the lever.

8. The combination as claimed .in claim 1 whereinsaid operating .means includes a body mounted on said shaft, a cam operating arm on said body, a second arm on said bod and means carriedby said-shaft and connected to said lever and engaging said second arm for moving the vcam;operating arm upon movement of the lever, and a yieldable detent engaging said second .arm. i or. holding the cam operating means in adjusted positions.

.fIThe combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable contact arm is tensioned to normally engage one of said stationary contact arms, and said cam is normally out of engagement with said movable contact arm and wherein said cam moving means first operates the cam to move the movable contact arm into neutral position and secondly into engagement with the other of said stationary contact arms.

10. In an electrical instrument the combination of, a rotary switch operating shaft, a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said switch ineluding inner and outer stationary contact arms and a movable contact arm, a cam pivotally carried by the transducer for moving said movable contact arm, a, lever mounted on said shaft for movement independently of the shaft, movable contact arm being tensioned to normally engage one of said stadonary contact said cam provided with step surfaces and arranged whereby the cam is normally out of engagement r.

with the movable contact arm, a body mounted on said shaft, a cam operating arm on said body for engagement with the stepped surfaces of the cam, means for connecting said arm with said lever to provide movement of the arm upon movement of the lever, said cam operating arm adapted to engage the cam and move it in stepped. movements in such manner that the first step movement of the cam will move the movable contact arm into neutral position and the second stepped movement of the cam will move the movable contact arm into engagement with the outer stationary contact arm.

11. In an electrical instrument the combination of, a rotary switch operating shaft, a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit, said switch including inner and outer stationary contact arms and a movable contact arm, a cam pivotally carried by the transducer for moving said movable contact arm, a lever mounted on said shaft for movement independently of the shaft, said movable contact arm being tensioned to normally engage one of said stationary contact arms, said cam provided with stepped surfaces and arranged whereby the cam is normally out of engagement with the movable contact arm, a body mounted on said shaft, a cam operating arm on said body for engagement with the stepped surfaces of the cam, a second arm on said body, means for connecting said second arm with said lever to provide movement of the contact operating arm upon movement of the lever, said cam operating arm adapted to engage the cam and move it in stepped movements in such manner that the first stepped movement of the cam will move the movable contact arm into neutral position and the second stepped movement of the cam will move the movable contact arm into engagement with the outer stationary contact arm, and a spring detent engaging said second arm for holding the cam operating arm in adjusted positions.

12. In an electrical instrument, in combination, a rotary switch operating shaft, a housing, said housing having a portion thereof cut away, a switch for controllin an auxiliary circuit mounted in the cut away portion of said housing, said switch including an inner and outer stationary arm and an intermediate movable arm projecting into the housing, a cam for moving said movable contact arm, a lever mounted on said shaft for movement independently of the shaft and means operated by said lever for moving said cam.

13. In an electrical instrument, in combination, a rotary switch operating shaft, a housing, said housing having a, portion thereof cut away, a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit mounted in the cut away portion of said housing, said switch including an inner and outer stationary arm and an intermediate movable arm projecting into the housing, a cam for moving said movable contact arm, a lever mounted on said shaft for movement independently of the shaft, a carrying body carried by said shaft and movable independently of the shaft, a cam operating arm on said movable body for engagement with said cam, a second arm on said carrying body and means establishing connection between said second arm and said lever.

14. In an electrical instrument, in combination, a rotary switch operating shaft, a housing, said housing having a portion thereof cut away, a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit mounted in the cut away portion of said housing, said switch including an inner and outer stationary arm and an intermediate movable arm projecting into the housing, a cam for moving said movable contact arm, a lever mounted on said shaft for movement independently of the shaft, said movable contact arm normally being out of engagement with said cam and in contacting engagement with the inner of said stationary contact arms, said cam provided with stepped surfaces whereby upon initial engagement of the cam operating arm with the cam said movable contact arm will be moved into a neutral position and upon successive movement of the cam operating arm the movable contact arm will be moved into contacting engagement with said outer stationary contact arm.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said switch includes a carrying body provided with grooves in its side edges which receive therein the edges of the cut out portion of said housing for connecting the switch structure to the housing.

16. In an electrical instrument the combination with a rotary shaft, of a switch for controlling an auxiliary circuit comprising inner and outer stationary contact arms and an intermediate movable contact arm tensioned to normally contact one of said stationary arms, a lever, an arm mounted on said shaft for rotar movement independent of the shaft and rigidly connected to said lever, a second arm, means establishing a loose connection between said rigidly connected arm and said second arm for moving said movable contact arm into a neutral position out of contact with either of said stationary contact arms or into engagement with the outer of said contact arms.

JOHN P. SMITH, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,203,236 Randolph June 4, 1940 2,433,920 Mossman Jan. 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 474,210 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1937 

